California requires motor vehicle drivers to have general liability insurance coverage. California drivers are required to be able to produce poof of car insurance when requested by a police officer or highway patrol. Additionally, proof of insurance is required when renewing your car’s registration or it is involved in an accident.
What is the minimum amount of liability insurance required by the State of California?
California’s minimum liability insurance amounts are:
- $5,000 total property damage per accident
- $15,000 bodily injury per person
- $30,000 total bodily injury per accident
Although California requires the above as the minimum insurance coverage requirements, most insurance professionals advise to get more coverage than the amount mandated by the state. Getting sufficient auto insurance will help to protect you and your assets in the event of a major, unforeseen accident. Most California drivers add an additional type of vehicle insurance called collision and comprehensive coverage to their car insurance policies to cover possible damage to their own motor vehicle as well.
What happens if I drive in California without insurance?
The penalties for driving without insurance in California are severe and may include getting a ticket, getting your vehicle impounded (taken away), and/or getting your drivers license suspended. The minimum amount of California state auto insurance is very affordable. Some car insurance policies are as low as $19/month in California.
What is Uninsured or Underinsured Motorist Coverage?
UM or UIM coverage is auto insurance coverage that protects a driver from damages if they get in an auto accident and the other party involved in the accident does not have car insurance. Although some states require uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage, California does not require it.
What is No-Fault Car Insurance and Do I Need it in California?
California is not a “No Fault State”. This means that policy holders HAVE to prove that they are not at fault in order to be reimbursed by their car insurance company. “No-Fault” states have laws that allow a car insurance policy holder to be reimbursed by their insurance company without proof of fault.
What is Personal Injury Protection?
California doe not require Personal Injury Protection. Personal Injury Protection or PIP is additional insurance coverage that covers medical and hospital expenses, lost wages, etc. that are a result of an auto insurance accident.
SR-22 or DUI Insurance Requirements for California
An SR-22 form is a vehicle liability insurance document that is filed with California’s Department of Motor Vehicles as proof that a California driver has the minimum amount of state mandated liability insurance coverage. California SR-22 filings are typically required to reinstate driving privileges after serious motor vehicle offenses such as a “Driving Under the Influence” (DUI) arrest and conviction, reckless driving, uninsured auto accident or driving without insurance. The State of California DOES require an SR-22 filing for a driver’s license to be reinstated.
What are California’s Driving Under the Influence (DUI) Laws?
It is illegal in the United States to operate a motor vehicle with a Blood Alcohol Content of 0.08% or higher. If a California driver’s Blood Alcohol Content is determined to be above the legal limit of 0.08%, the first DUI offense penalties for the State of California are:
- 4 – 180 days imprisonment
- $390 – $1000 fine
- 6-month license suspension
- Court-ordered installation ignition interlock device – this requires the offender to blow into an apparatus prior to being able to start their vehicle.
- Completion of an approved DUI instructional program
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